Counsellor duties and responsibilities
Counsellors have numerous responsibilities in helping patients with mental health issues. Depending on the type of facility they work in and the patients they treat, a Counsellor’s responsibilities may include:
- Assessing a patient’s mental health through interviews and conversations
- Using appropriate testing and evaluation methods to assess patients
- Developing and implementing a treatment plan, which may include therapeutic medications, counseling sessions, or other types of mental health care
- Diagnosing a patient’s mental and emotional issues
- Working closely with patients to develop a favorable treatment plan and goals
- Adjusting the treatment plan to find ways for method and patient improvement
- Educating the patient on coping strategies or stress-management techniques to handle stressful life situations
- Keeping records of the patient’s treatment plan and progress
Counsellor skills and qualifications
Counsellors are qualified individuals who are trained in the assessment and treatment of mental health issues. Most Counsellor positions require field experience and soft skills such as:
- Oral and written communication
- Organizational skills
- Time-management skills
- Adaptability to different tasks
- Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders
- Patience and empathy
- Confidence and trustworthiness
- Knowledge of current developments and research in mental health
- Flexibility to work both in a team and individually
Counsellor experience requirements
For most Counsellor positions, employers require a minimum of 2 years of experience working as a professional Counsellor and a proven ability to develop effective and appropriate treatment plans. This experience may come from internships or the supervised clinical experience that occurs during education and licensing. In some cases, a combination of educational experience, clinical experience, and internship experience is desirable.
Counsellor education and training requirements
The education and training requirements for a Counsellor vary by location and program. Counsellors in Canada require Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) certification through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. For certification, Counsellors must hold a master’s degree in counselling or a related professional field, specific coursework, direct practice, supervision and a clear criminal record background check.
Counsellor salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Counsellor is $24.80 per hour. Keep in mind that may be dependent on the relevant experience, location, education level and company.
Job description samples for similar positions
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